Toy horse and undercarriage



April 21, 1959 c. MORGAN I 2,883,202

TOY HORSE AND 'UNDERCARRIAGE Filed March 13, 1957 A'ITCI R N EYS ited titates This invention relates to an amusement device, and more particularly to a toy horse.

The object of the invention is to provide an amusement device which includes a body member that has a fanciful configuration so that it resembles a horse or other animal, and wherein a child is adapted to be seated on the body member or horse so that the device can be propelled along in a realistic fashion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy horse and undercarriage which includes a frame for supporting a body member that has the configuration of a horse or other animal, so that with a child seated on the body member, the child can move his or her feet to thereby cause the body member to move up and down in a life like manner, and wherein at the same time the amusement device will be propelled along, and wherein there is provided a manually operable means for steering the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy horse which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a side elevational view showing the amuse ment device of the present invention, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 1a is a fragmentary sectional View certain constructional details of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a rear end eleuational view of the toy horse of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and showing the undercarriage.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the parts disassembled, and illustrating the undercarriage or frame.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a portion of the steering mechanism.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral illustrates the undercarriage for a toy horse, and the undercarriage includes a frame which comprises a base 11. The base 11 is U-shaped in cross section as shown in Figure 4, and the base 11 is provided with downwardly extending side flanges 12.

Arranged on the front end of the base 11 is a cylindrical sleeve 13, for a purpose to be later described. Depending from the front portion of the base 11, is a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed fingers 14, and extending between the lower ends of the fingers 14 and secured thereto or formed integral therewith is a horizontally disposed cross piece 15, the cross piece 15 being provided with an opening 16.

Rotatably mounted below the cross piece 15 is a U-shaped fork 17, and the fork 17 includes a top member 18 which has spaced parallel side members 19 depending therefrom, the side members 19 being provided with registering openings of apertures 20. A front Wheel 21 is positioned between the pair of side members 19, and an axle 22 extends through the openings for journall'ing the wheel 21 to the fork 17. The top member 18 of the fork 17 is provided with an opening 23 which registers illustrating atent O figuration of a horse.

with the opening 16, and a suitable securing element or pivot pin 24 extends through the registering openings 16 and 23 whereby the fork 17 is rotatably or pivotally mounted beneath the cross piece 15.

Depending from the rear portion of the base 11 is a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed ears 25, and the cars 25 are provided with registering openings or apertures 26. The rotary disc 27 is interposed between the pair of ears 25, and an axle or shaft 28 extends through the openings 26 and through the center of the disc or wheel 27. A clamp 29 is secured tothe disc 27 in any suitable manner, as for example by means of securing elements 30, and extending forwardly from the clamp 29 is a brace 31, there being a foot piece 32 s cured to the front end of the brace 31.

Extending downwardly and rearwardly from the base 21 and secured thereto or formed integnal therewith, is a plurality of angularly arranged spaced apart straps 33, and the rear end of each of the straps 33 is curved as at 34 so as to define a bearing, there being a rear axle 35 extending through the bearing 34. A pair of ground engaging rear wheels 36 are mounted on the ends of the axle 35.

There is further provided a pair of spaced apart links 37 which each have a bearing 38 on their rear end, and the front end of the links 37 are connected to the disc 27. The bearings 38 on the rear of the links 37 are arranged in engagement with offset portions 39 which are formed in the axle 35.

Supported above the undercarriage 10 is a body mernber 40 which has a fanciful configuration such as the con A pivot pin 41 extends through the front portion of the body member 40 and through the sleeve 13 whereby a pivotal connection is provided between tlhe body member 40 and undercarriage. A rod 42 has its lower end connected to the movable disc 27, and the rod 42 includes an upper threaded portion 43 which extends into the lower portions of the body member 40 whereby as the disc 27 oscillates or moves, the body member 40 will pivot up and down about an axis extending through the pin 41 so that a child seated on the body member 40 will derive increased pleasure and amusement therefrom.

There is further provided a manually operable means for steering the device, and this means comprises side pieces 44 which extend rearwardly from the: side members 19 of the fork 17. Extending between the rear ends of the side pieces and secured thereto or formed integral therewith is an end piece 45, and extending upwardly from the end piece 45 is a vertically disposed bar 46, the bar 46 extends upwardly to an opening 47 in the front portion of the base 11, and a handle 48 is connected to the upper end of the bar 46. A head piece 49 is rotatably arranged above the surface 50 on the body member 40, and a handgrip 51 may be connected to the head piece 49.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an amusement device or velocipede and in use a child is adapted to sit on the saddle portion of the body member 50. Then, the child places his or her feet on the foot piece 32 and grips the handgrip 51. By moving the feet 32 up and down, the disc 27 will be caused to oscillate between the ears 25 and this oscillation of the disc 27 will result in propulsion or movement of the toy, and will also result in up and down rocking motion of the body member 48. Thus, the child will be able to ride in a manner that simulates or represents a real ride on a horse. As the disc 27 is oscillated or moved by means of the foot piece 32, the pair of links 37 will. be moved and since the links 37 have their bearings 38 mounted on the offset portions 39 of the shaft 35, it will be seen that the axle or shaft 35 will be rotated and this in turn will cause rotation of the pair of wheels 36 whereby the toy will be propelled along by the child. Similarly, as the disc 27 oscillates, the rod 42 moves and since the body member 40 is pivoted to the sleeve 13 by means of the pin 41, it will be seen that the oscillation of the disc 27 will result in simultaneous rocking the body member 40 about the pin 41 whereby the child will derive much pleasure therefrom.

The undercarriage includes the base 11 which may be made of any suitable material such as metal, and the base 11 is shaped to include the previously described parts. Thus, the rear of the base 11 includes the straps 33 which may be bent downwardly from the solid line position shown in Figure 4 to the broken line shown in Figure 4, and the bearing portions 34 on the rear of the straps 33 engage the rotary axle 35. Similarly, the cars 25 and the member 14 and the sleeve 13 can all be stamped from a single piece of material and then bent to the desired shape. To steer the device, the child merely grips the member 51 and thereby rotates the head 49 above the surface 50 and this rotation of the head 49 causes turning movement of the rod 46 which in turn moves the fork 17 and since the fork 1'7 has a front wheel 21 connected thereto, it will be seen that turning movement of the head 49 will result in similar turning movement of the wheel 21 whereby the toy can be guided or steered as desired.

The toy horse of the present invention is ruggedly constructed and inexpensive to make. The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes and sizes. The base and its associated parts can be made from sheet metal, and the various bearings can be formed in the proper parts of the sheet metal. While the device has been illustrated using a body member having the shape of a toy horse, it is to be understood that the body member may have any desired fanciful configuration. The power mechanism is such that a child can obtain a smooth and pleasant ride and the construction of the straps 33 provide a strong unit whereby the device is properly stabilized. By making the base 11 of sheet metal which can be stamped to the desired shape, the cost of fabricating the parts is greatly reduced. The power mechanism is such that even small children can easily propel the device. The handgrip 51 is adapted to be used for turning the head 49 which in turn rotates the hand piece 48 and bar 46, whereby the device can be readily steered.

The disc 27 merely oscillates back and forth and does not rotate 360, and the disc 27 only oscillates a distance which is great enough to rotate the axle 35. Thus, it is not necessary for the disc 27 to rotate to an angle of 90. Furthermore, this oscillation of the disc is entirely independent of the steering mechanism, since the steering of the toy horse is accomplished as the bar 46 is turned. As shown in the drawings, there is a loose connection between the side pieces 44 and the side members 19 of the fork 17, and the side pieces 44 are connected to the end piece by suitable ball and socket joints 9 so as to permit the turning movement. The foot piece 32 can move to the position shown in Figure 1 as the result of momentum generated by the moving toy.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device, an undercarriage including a frame, said frame embodying a horizontally disposed base, said base being U-shaped in cross section and including a sleeve on its front end, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed fingers extending downwardly from the front portion of the base, a horizontally disposed cross piece extending between the lower ends of said fingers and secured thereto, a U-shaped fork rotatably mounted below said cross piece and said fork including a top member arranged below said cross piece and rotatably connected thereto, a pair of spaced parallel side members depending from said top member and said side members being provided with opposed registering apertures adjacent their lower ends, a front wheel positioned between said side members and including an axle extending through the apertures in said side members, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed ears depending from the rear portion of said base, adisc positioned between said pair of ears, a shaft extending through said disc and through the pair of cars, a clamp connected to said disc, a brace extending forwardly from said clamp, a foot piece secured to the front of said brace, a plurality of angularly arranged spaced apart straps extending downwardly and rearwardly from said base and the rear ends of said straps being shaped to define bearings, a rear axle extending through said bearings, a pair of rear wheels mounted on said 'axle, said rear axle including a pair of offset portions, a pair of links having hearings on their rear ends engaging said offset portions and the front ends of said links being pivotally connected to said disc, a body member having a fanciful shape rockably supported above said base, a pivot pin extending through the front portion of the body member and through the sleeve on the front of the base, arod extending upwardly from said disc and having its upper end engaging the lower rear portion of the body member, and manually operable means for steering the device.

2. In an amusement device, an undercarriage including a frame, said frame embodying a horizontally disposed base, said base being U-shaped in cross section and including a sleeve on its front end, a pair of spaced parallel verticallydisposed fingers extending downwardly from the front portion of the base, a horizontally disposed cross piece extending between the lower ends of said fingers and secured thereto, a U-shaped fork rotatably mounted below said cross piece and said fork including a top member arranged below said cross piece and rotatably connected thereto, a pair of spaced parallel side members depending from. said top member and said side members being provided with opposed registering apertures adjacent their lower ends, a front wheel positioned between said side members and including an axle extending through the apertures in said side members, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed ears depending from the rear portion of said base, a disc positioned between said pair of ears, a shaft extending through said disc and through the pair of ears, a clamp connected to said disc, a brace extending forwardly from said clamp, 21 foot piece secured to the front of said brace, a plurality of angularly arranged spaced apart straps extending downwardly and rearwardly'from said base and the rear ends of said straps being shaped to define bearings, a rear axle extending through said bearings, a pair of rear wheels mounted on said axle, said rear axle including a pair of ofiset portions, a pair of links having bearings on their rear ends engaging said offset portions and the front ends of said links being pivotally connected to said disc, a body member having a fanciful shape rockably supported above said base, a pivot pin extending through the front portion of the body member and through the sleeve on the front of the base, a rod extending upwardly from said disc and having its upper end engaging the lower rear portion of the body member, and manually operable means for steering the device, said manually operable means comprising side pieces extending rearwardly from the side members of said fork and connected thereto, an end piece extending between said side pieces and connected thereto, a bar extending upwardly from said end piece and secured thereto and said bar extending upwardly through the front portion of the body member, said body member including a pivotally mounted head, and a handgrip connected to said head.

668,002 Berger Feb. 12, 1901 894,544 Simon July 28, 1908 1,561,538 Hoff Nov. 17, 1925 

